Apprentice Teaching Assistant - Castle Wood School

What is the job role?

Would you like to be one of our new Apprentice Teaching Assistants?

Come and join our dedicated team at Castle Wood, a vibrant, innovative broad spectrum special needs school for children aged 3 to 11.

We are looking to fill a number of Apprentice Teaching Assistant vacancies, to start with us in January/February 2025 working across the whole school as part of the classroom team, supporting colleagues as necessary.

You will be working with children with a range of special needs including Autism Spectrum Disorder, Downs Syndrome, ASD, SPD, SLD, may be non-verbal, have challenging behaviours and other overlapping conditions.

The successful candidates will work alongside experienced staff to gain knowledge and skills related to this role whilst completing a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Apprenticeship.

Our vision is ‘Together children first…’ and we need individuals who have a can-do attitude and prepared to learn and want to develop.  You will be able to use your initiative, be commitment and dedicated with the ability to work as part of a team. You will work across the whole school and with children with different needs including profound and multiple learning difficulties. 

Duties include:

• To work as part of the classroom team, supporting colleagues as necessary, both within the class team and across the whole school. To work under the direction of the class Teacher and the School Leadership Team

• To help provide a safe and happy environment in which the pupils can learn in line with the school’s vision and values

• To keep abreast of current trends and developments in education by reading, attending school in-service training and courses and to share information with colleagues and to gain the skills required to support children with a range of SEN

• To assist with the preparation of the classroom and tidying up of the classrooms and maintenance of equipment after each session as well as preparation of learning resources under the direction of the class teacher

• To help carry out the individual programmes of pupils as agreed with the class teacher, keeping records as required including marking of pupils’ work and maintenance of learning journals and exercise books

• To contribute to the systems of recording pupils progress and attainment

We will offer:

• An exciting programme of training to help you develop your skills set further

• Supportive mentor

• Fabulous, warm, and enthusiastic children

• A happy school with a welcoming and supportive team

• Opportunities to work with experts from a range of disciplines

• Advanced Level Apprenticeship – Level 3 in Teaching Assistant

• Excellent work life balance

• Access to occupational health including counselling

• Access to discount and rewards schemes including cycle to work, childcare vouchers

Working Hours 8.30am – 3.30pm (Monday - Wednesday), 8.30am - 4.30pm (Thursday), 8.30am - 3.30pm (Friday).

There may be the opportunity for a permanent role after the apprenticeship, however this is not guaranteed.

Key Requirements:

This post is exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to this post will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). 

This School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

In your application form please detail the skills, knowledge and expertise which are required to become a successful Apprentice and why you wish to work in a Special school in particular. Please also state on your application which start date you are looking for.

Unfortunately, due to the extremely high number of applications expected, we are unable to respond to each individual.  If you have not heard by the end of January 2025 then your application has been unsuccessful at this time.

Who are we looking for?

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills

• Positive experience of working with children in an educational setting/primary age children/special needs children desirable but not required

• Knowledge of Special Educational Needs or a willingness to learn

• Able to demonstrate an interest in working with and interacting with children

• A basic understanding of principles of child development and learning processes

• An understanding of/and the ability to comply with the school’s Child Protection, Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities policies and to implement the Behaviour and other relevant policies in the school

• Good communication and listening skills

• Able to use basic Word processing, email and databases well enough for school-based record keeping

Personal qualities

• Able to relate well to children and adults

• Able to review a pupil’s performance and feedback progress to the teacher about how specific targets have been met

• Able to work independently but to keep others informed both verbally and in written form, e.g. emails, record sheets

• Understand the need for confidentiality when required

• Patience, co-operation, problem solving approach, adaptable and caring nature, use of initiative

• Understanding of roles and responsibilities and your contribution to pupils’ learning

We are looking for a person with:

• An excellent general education, Good level of English and maths - Level 2 preferred or equivalent.

• Strong communication skills

• The ability to use relevant technology/equipment

• The ability to work as part of a team

• A commitment to the happiness, well-being, self-esteem, and progress of everyone at the school

• Personal skills and qualities required to form positive relationships with children, parents and carers

• High aspirations for pupils and themselves

• 5 GCSES including English and Maths grade 4 or above (or equivalent)

Closing date: Note, adverts shut off at midnight on 5th January 2025

Interview date: w/c 6th/13th January 2025

Our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check via the DBS.

Following recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) for an additional pre employment check with effect 1 Sept 22, please note, an online search may form part of this recruitment process.